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There is a little difference as the ball is typically coming in a spiral on the punt, not so with the kickoff...

Also there is a huge difference in formation and blocking schemes. Many "specialists" over the years have done well with both, Eric Metcalf comes to mind very quickly along with Dante Hall.

Many teams will use a top player for punt returns as the option to fair catch can reduce risk of injury, like Deion Sanders, Steve Smith and Tiki Barber. However those same players rarely to never take a kick-off return.

Some players (esp rookies) have difficulty learning the nuances of both and may be given on the responsibility of one (Ted Ginn w/ Miami right now).

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The 49ers own my heart, but the Chiefs will always hold a better than neutral spot for giving my favorite player a place to leave with grace...
Resident Comedian/Statistician/Researcher/Diplomat

Also on punts, if the ball touches a member of the receiving team it is then a live ball and can be recovered by anyone. In both cases a fair catch can be called for and the coverage must not tackle the receiver and the receiver can not advance the ball. If, on a kick off, the receiver either fields the ball in the field of play or steps out of the end zone with it then they had better run for all they can get. Once a kick off is fielded in bounds the receiver can not step into the end zone for a touch back. These are some more basics as I understand them.

Also on punts, if the ball touches a member of the receiving team it is then a live ball and can be recovered by anyone. In both cases a fair catch can be called for and the coverage must not tackle the receiver and the receiver can not advance the ball. If, on a kick off, the receiver either fields the ball in the field of play or steps out of the end zone with it then they had better run for all they can get. Once a kick off is fielded in bonds the receiver can not step into the end zone for a touch back. These are some more basics as I understand them.

True all around...however the fair catch rule is rarely to never used on kickoffs (unless a kick is high and short)

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The 49ers own my heart, but the Chiefs will always hold a better than neutral spot for giving my favorite player a place to leave with grace...
Resident Comedian/Statistician/Researcher/Diplomat

There is a little difference as the ball is typically coming in a spiral on the punt, not so with the kickoff...

Also there is a huge difference in formation and blocking schemes. Many "specialists" over the years have done well with both, Eric Metcalf comes to mind very quickly along with Dante Hall.

Many teams will use a top player for punt returns as the option to fair catch can reduce risk of injury, like Deion Sanders, Steve Smith and Tiki Barber. However those same players rarely to never take a kick-off return.

Some players (esp rookies) have difficulty learning the nuances of both and may be given on the responsibility of one (Ted Ginn w/ Miami right now).

One of the biggest differences is the coverage. On a kickoff, all eleven members of the kicking team are trying to tackle, immediately. Whereas, punt coverage requires several members to block the recieving team from blocking the punt, but, get to send a couple of guys after the reciever, at the snap and before the actual punt. Kickoff returns have a higher average, because noone is allowed to begin their 'coverage' until the ball is kicked and then there are ten blockers, who are prepared for nothing else, like a fake-punt. Therefore, it takes the coverage longer to get to the returner, usually.

One of the biggest differences is the coverage. On a kickoff, all eleven members of the kicking team are trying to tackle, immediately. Whereas, punt coverage requires several members to block the recieving team from blocking the punt, but, get to send a couple of guys after the reciever, at the snap and before the actual punt. Kickoff returns have a higher average, because noone is allowed to begin their 'coverage' until the ball is kicked and then there are ten blockers, who are prepared for nothing else, like a fake-punt. Therefore, it takes the coverage longer to get to the returner, usually.

Yet another series of good examples differentiating one from the other.